Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah last night.

The King opened the meeting by briefing the Cabinet about his contacts and consultations with international leaders, including the president of the Comoros, the prime ministers of Malaysia, Bangladesh and Lebanon, as well as Bahraini Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and Prince Rasheed bin Al-Hassan of Morocco.

These meetings with Muslim leaders reflect the strong ties between Muslims around the world without distinction for race, color, money and status, King Abdullah noted.

In a statement, Minister of Culture and Information Iyad Madani said that the Cabinet reviewed the situation in Iraq. It reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for the national unity government and against efforts to incite violence or divide the country. The Cabinet stated that unity is best not just for Iraqis, but for the peace and stability of the region.

The Cabinet also expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation for the recently-signed peace agreement in eastern Sudan between the National Unity Government and the Eastern Front.

Turning to domestic issues, the Cabinet approved a number of resolutions. It approved a strategy to address poverty through various programs, including subsidies for the national welfare fund and orphans, emergency aid for poor families and additional funding for charitable societies.

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a new stock company called the Jabal Omer Development Company and an agreement to set up an international Islamic trading foundation.